The Subaru DL does 24.6 mpg combined (22 city, 28.4 highway), which works out to about $1,561 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Subaru DL engine, compared
The Subaru DL was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 22 / 28.4 | 1985–1989 | $1,561 |
What that actually costs
The Subaru DL burns a gallon every 24.6 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 488 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.130 |
| Fuel per year | $1,561 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,805 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$67 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,540 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Subaru DL gives up 6.4 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 28.4 out there against 22 in town, a 29% drop worth $393 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 22 mpg | $1,745 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 28.4 mpg | $1,352 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6.4 mpg (29%) | Typical for its type |
How the DL changed over the years
The DL peaked in 1988 at 25 mpg (22 city, 29 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1989 at 23 — 2 mpg apart, or $134 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1989 car does 23. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 21 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1988 | 22 / 29 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 1987 | 22 / 29 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 1986 | 22 / 29 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 1985 | 23 / 29 | 1 | $1,536 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 5 EPA ratings of the Subaru DL — 1 engine across 1985–1989. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,540. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Subaru DL get?
24.6 mpg combined on average — 22 in the city and 28.4 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1985–1989.
How much does a Subaru DL cost in fuel per year?
About $1,561 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,805 over five years, or 0.130 dollars a mile.
Which DL engine is the most economical?
The 1.8L 4-cyl at 24.6 mpg.
Is the DL good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world DL figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Subaru DL is $2,540 against the $1,561 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the city and highway figures is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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